Designing Women Star Meshach Taylor Dies at Age 67 (VIDEO)

Meshach Taylor — an Emmy nominee for Designing Women — died last night (Saturday, June 28), his family told the L.A. Times. He was 67.

One of his four children, son Tariq, said Meshach was in hospice care at his family's home in Altadena, CA — surrounded by loved ones — when he died.

The Taylor family had previously posted a note to Facebook on June 27, sharing the sad news that Meshach was on his deathbed:

"It is with love and gratitude that we sorrowfully announce that our darling, amazingly brilliant and dynamic, Meshach, the incredible father, husband, son and friend has begun his grand transition. Our friends who know and love us, please offer your prayers for his peace and blazing light as he ascends to the heavens. Those who need to call the family please do. Those who desire to post memories, we are open and graciously accepting all gestures of peace. Love, the Taylor Family Tariq Taylor Yasmine Taylor Tamar Lashae Taylor Esme Taylor."

What a beautiful farewell. He was greatly loved, and surrounded by family when he passed, which is about as much as any of us can hope for. It's bittersweet to see that he had just celebrated his 67th birthday with family members and several fellow TV stars in a pretty fun-looking party. TMZ said Meshach had a long battle with cancer, so that b-day party may have also been a goodbye gathering.

Meshach played Atlanta interior design firm assistant Anthony Bouvier on Designing Women from 1986-1993. He was also wonderfully memorable as window dresser Hollywood Montrose in the movie Mannequin; he also starred in the TV series Dave's World, played Mr. Wright in Ned's Declassified School Survival Guide, and most recently guest starred in two episodes of Criminal Minds.

Our thoughts are with his family, as they mourn this dynamic man they loved.